Boosting Microfluidic Enzymatic Cascade Reactions with pH-Responsive Polymersomes by Spatio-Chemical Activity Control

Area of Science:

• Biocatalysis
• Microfluidics
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Microfluidic flow reactors enable sensitive biocatalysts in polymeric matrices, mimicking natural microstructures.
• Challenges exist in creating complex hybrid structures for continuous flow biological processes.
• Compartmentalization and unification of sensitive components are crucial for microfluidic control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a self-regulating microfluidic system for controlled enzymatic cascade reactions (ECR).
• To fabricate pH-sensitive hybrid structures within a microfluidic double chamber reactor.
• To ensure the function and adaptation of pH-responsive polymersomes in a continuous flow microfluidic chip.

Main Methods:

• Sequential photostructuring with an intermediate chemical step.
• Fabrication of a microfluidic double chamber reactor.
• Loading polymersomes with horseradish peroxidase and incorporating pH-sensitivity.

Main Results:

• Successful fabrication of pH-sensitive hybrid structures in a microfluidic reactor.
• Demonstration of triggered and controlled ECR via interplay of glucose oxidase, polymersome membrane state, and flow parameters.
• Adaptation and retention of polymersome function under continuous flow conditions.

Conclusions:

• The developed microfluidic system offers a promising platform for noninvasive regulation of ECR.
• Enables extended spatio-chemical control for cascade reaction systems.
• Highlights the potential of pH-responsive polymersomes in microfluidic biocatalysis.